On 5 May, 35 young people started level 3 (level 6 in Scotland) apprenticeships with NatWest Group, following successful completion of the 2026 LTSB Contact Centre Programme!
LTSB is delighted to partner with NatWest Group, who remain committed to improving social mobility by enabling access to opportunities that may otherwise have felt out of reach. In 2019, NatWest Group became the first UK bank to launch a bespoke Digital and Innovation Apprenticeship programme, to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The LTSB Contact Centre Programme is a three-week, hybrid programme, delivered both online and in-person with input from the NatWest Group team. All participants were guaranteed an interview at the end; with 35 roles now filled by our amazing young people.
This programme is specially designed to help young people understand and develop the skills they will need to succeed in a contact centre role. Unlike some other pathways, it did not have specific academic requirements, as candidates were assessed on their aptitude and potential. They needed to show the relevant qualities and attributes, such as strong communication skills, proactivity and determination, alongside the ability to seek solutions and adapt to change. They also had the opportunity to learn first-hand about work culture and customer service; and gain a valuable insight into what a future career might look like.
Everyone who completed the programme was guaranteed an interview with NatWest for a real apprenticeship. We continued to support them through this stage of the process, to help them prepare and give them the best possible chance of success. We are extremely proud of our 2026 intake, and we wish them all the very best as they begin their careers.
As ever, would like to thank NatWest Group for their ongoing support.
Chris Oliver, Head of Programmes at LTSB, said: “This year marks the fifth anniversary of our NatWest Contact Centre programme, which is dedicated to supporting talented young people from underrepresented backgrounds in securing entry-level roles at NatWest Bank.
We are continually proud of our partnership with NatWest, and this year we have had the privilege of supporting young people across Southend, Manchester, and Edinburgh as they take the first steps in their careers.
We are delighted to confirm that 35 young people have successfully secured apprenticeship opportunities with NatWest. We now look forward to providing ongoing pastoral support as they progress through the early stages of their apprenticeship journey.
On behalf of LTSB, I would like to extend our congratulations to all 35 apprentices and wish them every success as they embark on this exciting next stage of their careers.”
About apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be excellent opportunities for school leavers, and can offer multiple benefits including:
· Practical, functional training in core areas like English and Maths.
· Apprentices are paid roles, allowing young people to earn money straight away.
· A focus on aptitude and potential over exam results.
· On-the-job-training in the real world.
To find out what upcoming programmes are available in your area, visit our Careers Programme Directory.
